By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   Sam Stalnaker, Principal of the Madison County Central School, received a very warm and tearful welcome back from Superintendent Lou Miller during the School Board meeting of January 14.  School Board Members shared in the celebration and were noticeably moved by the comments and gifts Stalnaker presented. 
   Stalnaker just returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan and the community, and especially school leadership, couldn’t be more thankful fro his safe return.  In fact, it was noted that his entire unit returned safely.  During the opening prayer, Miller gave thanks on behalf of everyone for the safe return, followed by additional praise and thanksgiving during Stalnaker’s presentation.
   Stalnaker presented two elaborately encased American Flags that actually flew over his troops while stationed in Afghanistan.  Each contained an awesome message that elicited a patriotic pride from all in attendance.  Chair VeEtta Hagan accepted one on behalf of the entire Board.  The other was presented to Miller who proudly announced it would be placed prominently in the meeting room.
   Stalnaker will be resuming his responsibilities at MCCS over the next few weeks, steadily ramping back into the full activities that have been divided among the four Assistant Principals during Stalnakers’s time overseas.   The owners and staff of Greene Publishing join the Superintendent and the Board in their warm welcome back.  Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Textbook Teaches Evolution As FACT, Not Theory

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   The following statements are taken from the Resolution unanimously adopted by the Madison County School Board during their meeting on January 14.  It is directed to the Sunshine State Standards for Science.

RESOLUTION
   Whereas, the Florida Department of Education has drafted and is now proposing new Sunshine State Standards for Science, the Madison County School Board opposes the implementation of the new standards as currently presented.
   Whereas, the new Sunshine State Standards for Science no longer present evolution as theory but as “the fundamental concept underlying all of biology and is supported in multiple forms of scientific evidence,” we are requesting that the State Board of Education direct the Florida Department of Education to revise/edit the new Sunshine State Standards for Science so that evolution is presented as one of several theories as to how the universe was formed.
   Whereas, the Madison County School Board recognizes the importance of providing a thorough and comprehensive Science education to all the students in Madison County and to all students in the state of Florida, it recognizes as even more important the need to present these standards through a fair and balanced approach, an approach that does not unfairly exclude other theories as to the creation of the universe.
   NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Madison County School Board, Madison, Florida, that the Board urges the State Board of Education to direct the Florida Department of Education to revise the new Sunshine State Standards for Science such that evolution is not presented as fact, but as one of several theories.
   According to the State Department of Education, Executive Director Mary Jane Tappan of the Office of Math and Science facilitated two December and two January meetings to get public comment on the changes.  Unfortunately, most missed the initial invitation because the announcement and advertisement of the meetings, which were held in Tallahassee, Orlando, Jacksonville and Miramar, was limited to the Florida Administrative Weekly, an online publication virtually unknown to the public that is used mostly for legal notification of pending governmental actions. 
   Following the first two meetings, accusations were levied that the DOE was attempting to sneak this very controversial issue by the public by limiting the announcement, so prior to the last two meetings the DOE put advertisements in the Jacksonville and Ft. Lauderdale papers.  There was no specific mention of the new introduction or definition regarding evolution; so many are now scrambling to have their voices heard on the issue since the changes are not yet official.
   The State Board of Education still has to approve the changes, which will be included in their meeting on February 19, location and time to be announced two weeks prior.  Historically, Board Chairman T. Willard Fair has allowed public input, although policy does not require it.  For those wishing to be heard, State School Board Member contact information is available at www.fldoe.org/board and the Florida Department of Education phone number is (850) 245-0505.  Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.

Madison EMS Meeting Challenges And Making Believers

By Michael Curtis
Greene Publishing, Inc.
   During a special session of the Board of County Commissioners held on January 10, Emergency Medical Services Director Juan Botino and Deputy Director Nathan Williams came before the board to discuss the repair and possible replacement of several ambulances, as well as to discuss the policies governing non-emergency transport. 
   Ambulance downtime has become a costly and untimely problem for EMS.  According to excerpts from a submitted report, “We have had two of our units in the shop now for one and a half months.”  The report further states that several of the units have broken down consistently.  The problem is not due to the age of the units; in fact one of the units is still under warranty but simply hasn’t been able to be repaired satisfactorily.
   Among solutions, Botino proposed the purchase of a new unit.  EMS received a grant for $23,575 for that purpose and Botino requested the Board provide an additional $24,500 to complete the purchase.  The BOCC unanimously approved the request. 
   Part of the issue is problems specific to Ford 350 ambulances, which is the make of the units involved.  Similar complaints have been reported nationwide.  Dodge manufactures the proposed unit, which has a Cummings diesel engine that Botino believes to be the most reliable in the industry.
   The second EMS issue concerns the transport of non-emergency patients, which actually arose out of the department’s commitment to effectively serve the needs of the county.  For instance, medical patients and nursing home residents often request a return ride following treatment.  However, because this return trip no longer qualifies as emergency, the transport is not covered by insurance such as Medicaid. 
   Other transport services, namely Big Bend Transport, are contracted for this category of taxi type transportation.  Unfortunately, the arrival time of these transports is often excessive, typically leaving the patient waiting for hours due to the limited number of taxis covering the region.  The bottom line is that Medicaid, among others, refused to pay and numerous billings for the non-emergency transport have gone unpaid and EMS can no longer operate as a complementary service.
   “We regret that we can no longer perform this function, although we will definitely continue the timely handling of all categories of emergency transport.  As we get the transport and ambulance issues worked out over the next few months and then combine these improvements with the progress we recently detailed during the BOCC Annual Report, EMS will be stronger than ever,” Botino added.
   On a separate issue, but certainly one central to illustrating the current quality of Madison County EMS services, this reporter received a call on January 9 from Florence Bishop tearfully and passionately praising two EMS personnel.  Bishop was the victim of a horrible and highly unusual accident that occurred during a visit to the power company where she went to pay a bill.  
   Pulling up next to the building, Bishop opened the door to step out.  Not realizing that her vehicle was not in Park, being in Reverse instead, she opened the door.  Placing her hand along the door edge, she turned to step out of the vehicle.  When she took her foot off the brake, the car suddenly rolled backwards, severely crushing her hand between the door edge and the wall it struck rolling back. 
   “It was horrible.  It practically cut off my fingers when it hit.  Then the EMS guys arrived and they were incredible.  There were even fire ants climbing all over us while they treated me.  Then while driving me to the Tallahassee Memorial Hospital trauma unit, they had to pull over to cut off my rings, the swelling had gotten so bad.  I owe so much to them that I don’t know where to begin.  Really, I can’t thank them enough.  I also want everybody to be careful and always make sure their cars are fully in park before they step out.  But mostly I want to thank the guys who did so much to help me.  Their names are Chad Thomas and Lucas Williams,” Bishop exclaimed.  Staff writer Michael Curtis can be reached at michael@greenepublishing.com.